Ribavirin and pegylated interferon treatment for hepatitis C was associated not only with semen alterations but also with sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To report the effects of ribavirin plus pegylated interferon on semen parameters and sperm DNA integrity in a man given treatment for hepatitis C.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
A 37-year-old man given treatment with ribavirin and pegylated interferon for hepatitis C.


METHODS
Semen parameters (sperm count, motility, round cells), sperm protamination state measured by sperm chromatin structure assay, and sperm DNA fragmentation measured by terminal uridine nick-end labeling assay.


RESULTS
The percentage of progressive spermatozoa and the number of motile sperm per ejaculate decreased during treatment. The round cell/spermatozoa ratio, which reflects spermatogenic abnormality, increased from 2.6% +/- 1.4% to 23.6% +/- 13.0% during treatment and returned to baseline value 4 months later. Moreover, the sperm DNA fragmentation index (as measured by sperm chromatin structure assay) increased very markedly during treatment (from 14.5% before to 69.2% at 7 months of treatment) and remained elevated 8 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reports for the first time not only quantitative but also qualitative alterations of spermatogenesis with DNA packaging abnormalities and emphasizes the need for prospective clinical studies. While the results of other studies are awaited, the alterations that persisted 8 months after treatment argue for a longer contraception period after treatment discontinuation in men.
Pecou
Stephane
S
Human Fertility Research Group, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (EA 3694), Toulouse, France.
Moinard
Nathalie
N
Walschaerts
Marie
M
Pasquier
Christophe
C
Daudin
Myriam
M
Bujan
Louis
L
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly / Q000187:drug effects; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050498:Live Birth; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b